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The end of spanking

But Holden and a growing number of children’s advocates still believe the time is right for a serious effort to end corporal punishment. For some in the burgeoning stop-hitting movement, the goal is nothing less than a total legal ban on spanking in all settings, as has been passed by 33 nations in Europe, Latin America and Africa (soon to be 34 when Brazil becomes the largest country to outlaw spanking in final action expected this year).

So far in this country, even limited anti-spanking laws have gone nowhere. A 2008 proposal to make it illegal to spank a child younger than 3 was greeted with howls of nanny-state overreach in the California Assembly before being withdrawn. In 2011, a bill targeting some of the more extreme physical discipline measures that have been considered “reasonable corporal punishment” — hitting with dangerous objects, punching with closed fists, shaking toddlers younger than 3 — was hooted down in the Maryland Senate.

“I had legislators telling me that they had not been spared the rod when they were young and look at them now,” said State Sen. Jamie B. Raskin (D-Montgomery), the bill’s chief sponsor. “It’s really entrenched in the culture. I do think we need a social movement against violence in the home.”

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Should we follow God or men?
Proverbs 13:24
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13
Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
Proverbs 23:14
Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 29:15
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Studies show* they’re 75% less likely to turn into self-obsessed obnoxious tools and 85% less likely to get the ever-loving crap beaten out of them in later life by someone who is not willing to tolerate their bad behavior.

My mother only used corporal punishment when absolutely necessary. It never involved more than one swat. Like the time when I was about 5 years old and ran out between parked cars into traffic in the street. She hit me on the butt one time and it was enough for me to never do it again. It worked and it was never, ever abusive and it was never intended to humiliate me or cause undue pain. It was implemented to get my attention and make sure I knew what I did was wrong.

If parents stop correcting their children, we are all in for a world of hurt. I see parents today attempting to negotiate with 3 year olds and you know what? That never works. These parents seem to be afraid of being the authority in the equation.